Daniel has only just come into the club and it's a new way of working for him.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers

The Liverpool striker, 23, made a scintillating start to life at Anfield since his £12m switch from Chelsea with five goals in his first seven appearances.

Sturridge lacked some of his usual zip in the Reds' last two games against Spurs and Southampton having just returned from injury, although he found the net for England in their 8-0 demolition of San Marino.

And Rodgers believes Sturridge must emulate Rush and Dalglish, who were both famed for chasing down opponents in the final third, to make attack the first line of defence.

"Look at the history of this club.

Look at Rush, Dalglish and how hard these guys worked," Rodgers said.

"The likes of Robbie Fowler when he was up there pressing. This club has had a number nine that works his socks off. The striker drives the train.

"Daniel has only just come into the club and it's a new way of working for him. I've spoken to him about it.

It's so important for us. The striker is the guy who sets the pressure up at the top, and if you don't have that then the gaps open up."

Rodgers has no such concerns over star striker Luis Suarez and does not expect a dip in his performance against Aston Villa tomorrow despite a gruelling 14,000-mile round trip to South America to play for Uruguay.

"I said to the staff this while I was stood there watching him in training, this is why you love him as a manager. He has an absolutely amazing appetite for the game," Rodgers added.